The Iron Lady by Gilbert Morris

Author:Gilbert Morris
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 1556616872
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2006-02-01T08:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Simon Is Unhappy

A frothy cloud of steam rose from the copper bathtub, frosting the windows into an opaque whiteness. Esther sank lower into the hot water, dreading to leave the warmth and comfort, for the room had no fireplace and was very cold. Outside, the winter wind of January whipped, nibbled, and clawed the casements like a beast trying to get in. Esther heard the low moaning sound and then abruptly forced herself to stand up. Almost wildly, she jumped out of the bathtub, shivering, making a trail of soapy water as she dashed across the room. Snatching up a thick, fluffy white towel she dried off quickly, her teeth chattering. Throwing on a heavy robe, she left the bathroom, dashed down the hall, then entered her bedroom, where a fire crackled cheerfully in the fireplace. Running over, she held her hands out, hugging her robe and letting the warmth of the fire soak in.

“I don’t know,” she muttered grimly, “why we can’t have a fireplace in the bathroom—or have a bathroom in the bedroom.” It was the kind of remark that Esther Winslow would make, for she had a practical, logical mind. Even as she marched across the room to her armoire, opened it, and began to pull out her clothing, her mind was busy with the problem. She loved bathing, and she loved cold weather—but not together.

Throwing her robe carelessly across the bed, she selected her undergarments, which consisted of a pair of white drawers with wide leg openings and a new garment for the upper body just coming into fashion. The French name for it was soutien-gorge, which she examined cautiously, then shrugged and slipped it over her head, thinking, I’m glad we don’t have to wear those awful corsets with metal stays. I always felt like I was dressed up in armor with those awful things!

Esther felt fortunate to have escaped the styles of the Edwardian period which preceded her own. The clinging gowns, of that time, were worn over straight-fronted corsets that thrust the bosom forward and the posterior back, giving a fashionable—and rather ridiculous—“S” shape. Padding had been used above and below the waist, so that the waist appeared smaller. The corset had long metal stays in the front, fastening with hooks and eyes, while the stays were worn over a chemise that was tucked into drawers.

Quickly Esther slipped into her choice for the day, which was in the Gibson Girl style. Her outfit consisted of a blue-and-white striped bodice, high necked and pouched in front, and a skirt that came down to her ankles. She dressed quickly and efficiently, pulling on her stockings and a pair of brown leather boots with lacing at the side.

Moving to the mirror, she quickly arranged her hair, pinning it up in soft waves. She did not use the padding that many women used, for her hair was luxuriously thick. She fastened it in place with hair pins and an ivory comb, then applied just a slight amount of rice powder on her cheeks.

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